History

Welcome to TEDxAmsterdamWomen!

In December 2010, Amsterdam hosted one of the first TEDxWomen-events in the world. TEDxWomen is a global conference that provides a stage for women to inspire; it specifically focuses on the unique way in which women contribute to global change and thus helps to reshape the future.

In the Netherlands, a large group of professional volunteers dedicate their time and energy to set up this event, acting as personal ambassadors for change and innovation. Since the first event in 2010, TEDxAmsterdamWomen has annually produced and delivered a stunning and inspiring conference, bringing forth well-known and critically acclaimed speakers such as Mei Lin Ang, Steve McCurry, Mariéme Jamme, Harriette Verweij, Naomi Feil, Sarah Britton, Corrine Vigreux, Olivia Bee, Lex Peters, Kelly Cutrone, Paul Zak, Marieke Eyskoot, Bénédicte Ficq and Lauren Zander.

TEDxAmsterdamWomen events are not subsidized and are run on the enthusiasm of our sponsors and volunteers.

We invite you to read more about TED, TEDx and TEDxAmsterdamWomen. Down below you can find everything about who we are, what we do, and how you can join the movement for change.

What is TED?

Since TED was founded in 1984, it has grown exponentially, expanding to local communities around the world. What began as ‘TED’ now includes a global ‘TEDx’ community.

TED was founded on the belief in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world. The mission is simple: ideas worth spreading. TED began as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics-- from science to business to global issues. It is now a global community, welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world.

What is TEDxWomen?

Daily, women around the world represent change. Be it an African girl who advances her village economy with a micro credit, or an academically educated female-executive who uses her skills to bring forth transformation in the workings of European multinationals, women are creating and transforming our future. We are at the eve of a silent revolution; a revolution where both power and vulnerability are triggering change in the way we interact with our world and each other. Successful women, in industries such as technology, entertainment, design, research, culture, arts and global affairs, are taking a stance. It is their decisiveness, their strength and vision which affects change in their communities and the world.

This women-driven change is what fuels TEDxWomen; specifically, the innovation, and transformation, inspired and led by women, world-wide.

As per every year, TEDxWomen offers a live-stream on TED.com. This live-stream is offered complimentary to all individuals who have offered to host a TEDx event. Via the TEDxAmsterdam foundation, Amsterdam also hosts the International TEDx Event, TEDx Change, TEDxYouth and TEDxAmsterdamWomen.

TEDxAmsterdamWomen Braintrust

The Braintrust of TEDxAmsterdamWomen is the advisory board -- pictured below. This group of female-influencers within the Amsterdam community play a strong role in shaping the vision of the annual conference, ensuring relevant and thought-provoking conversations and ‘ideas worth spreading.’

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxAmsterdamWomen, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxAmsterdamWomen event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.